As a lifelong car enthusiast I’ve strived to combine my passion for four-wheeled transportation with my writing skills and business acumen. The ultimate goal was a rewarding career as an automotive journalist/analyst. After 20 years in this industry, with roles ranging from editorial assistant at Hot Rod magazine to feature editor at Super Street magazine to editor in chief at Edmunds.com, I’ve experienced the automotive world from multiple perspectives. In June 2013 I joined Kelley Blue Book as their Senior Director of Industry Insights. In this role I review the latest industry data and work with KBB’s market intelligence team to validate the competitive landscape and identify and report on trends. The automotive marketplace has never been more competitive, with rapidly evolving technology driving advances in the areas of passenger safety, fuel efficiency and in-car connectivity. Automakers are under pressure to keep pace, which means new-car shoppers now have access to the most advanced and capable vehicles ever produced.

The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.

3. The Hellcat’s interior includes unique red background lighting in the gauge cluster to distinguish it from other Challengers. The Hellcat’s central, 8.4-inch display screen also features the new-for-2015 “SRT Performance Pages” feature, which can show everything from detailed engine information to specific performance data, including zero-to-60 and quarter-mile times, lap times and breaking distances. Many of these features can be accessed via voice control and configured to appear in realtime in the Challenger’s digital display screen between the primary gauges.

2. Everything from steering feedback to suspension tuning to transmission and traction control can also be configured through the upgraded interior interface. The pre-programmed “Sport” and “Track” modes will set everything to a pre-determined level, but a “Custom” mode can be utilized to individually set (and store) each of these parameters to the driver’s preference for quick access. These same controls can also be used to put the Hellcat in “Valet” mode, via a secret four-digit code, before handing the car off.

1. If $60,000 and 707 horsepower seems a bit over-the-top, the base V6-powered 2015 Dodge Challenger SXT starts at $27,990 and still offers 305 horsepower, a zero-to-60 time of 6 seconds and up to 30 mpg. Between the SXT and SRT Hellcat sits the 375 horsepower, V8-powered Challenger R/T at $31,495, the Scat Pack R/T with 485 horsepower for $38,495 and the Challenger SRT 392 , also with 485 horsepower, along with enhanced wheels, brakes, seats and the aforementioned “SRT Performance Pages” control interface for $45,995. There are also 11 exterior colors, 7 interior colors and a wide range of equipment options across the model line.

Whether you focus on performance, personalization or value the 2015 Dodge Challenger is well equipped to face off against the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang and updated Chevrolet Camaro with its revived Z/28 trim. Challenger sales have lagged its domestic competitors since it was introduced in 2008, but Dodge likes to point out that Challenger sales have increased every year and have doubled in total volume since launch. The new SRT Hellcat gives the latest version impressive bragging rights, which mean a lot in this market, even if it represents a small percentage of buyers who actually pony up for the top model. And if nothing else, the SRT Hellcat confirms a high degree of confidence and capability now strolling the halls of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Karl Brauer has spent over 20 years working in the automotive industry as a writer, analyst, web designer, online business consultant and media representative.

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I’d like to meet anyone who buys one of these new from a dealer for 60k (plus tax, tag, blah blah blah). I recall dealers having huge markups and in some cases even refusing to allow people to test drive the “plain old” Hemi Challenger when it was re-introduced.